ALFIE ZAPPACOSTA - LIVE FROM BLUE FROG STUDIOS

It can be difficult for music fans to let go of music styles or arrangements that helped shape their generation. Zappacosta knows all about it and how challenging it can be to break through to new audiences even with, or maybe because of, a legacy of success. The 80’s were good to Zappacosta. He became a chart topping artist, a JUNO award winner, twice, and an American Music Award Winner for his contribution of “Overload” to the platinum selling Dirty Dancing soundtrack which is set to be re-released for its 30th anniversary in the coming year.

“I enjoyed my younger pop years. Sometimes my children will play the music, videos or the Danger Bay episode and have a great laugh at my expense”, grins a playful Zappacosta, “but honestly, it has been both a curse and a blessing. I love the stability that the hits provided for my family; however Zappacosta in spandex, screaming over monitors would be a dreadful sight at my age! It was a very long time ago. I have enjoyed the evolution of my music and career and the opportunities it has afforded me – live theatre, movie roles and such. I hope for many more.”

Zappacosta’s seven recordings and countless live performances since 1996 reflect his true calling - his mastery at romance, his heartfelt lyrics, his incomparable voice and his advanced knowledge of music. His latest CD and DVD Live From Blue Frog Studios shatters the stereotype of Zappacosta in the 1980’s. Produced brilliantly by Alfie Zappacosta and Pat Glover, in front of an intimate audience at the Blue Frog Studios & Performance Centre in White Rock BC, the DVD delivers an authentic look at Zappacosta today – Adorned in an Armani suit and white hair, he skillfully takes command of the presentation that showcases his songwriting, his vocal prowess, his guitar mastery and the nuances in his emotive stage delivery that will have you engaged from beginning to end. The DVD is engineered by the impressive Pat Glover and edited by Scott White with Shinobi Creative Productions.

Live From Blue Frog Studios’ music and arrangements are supported by a remarkable group of musicians from across Canada – the consummate Claudio Vena on viola and accordion, Edmonton’s Andrew Glover on keyboards, The Heartbroken’s Blake Manning on drums and percussion, David Babcock wailing on all saxes and BC’s John Taylor on bass. The music grooves and sways to soulful. And the hits that brought Zappacosta to the world's attention? “When I Fall in Love Again”, “Passion”, “Start Again” and “Spread Myself Too Thin” all make appearances on the CD and DVD. The songs are timeless and fit effortlessly into his new music and arrangements. No trends, no hype -This is pure music…pure art…pure Zappacosta.

Above all, one of the elite pleasures of this live recording and DVD has to be the brilliant engineering. Pat Glover has delivered a rich, full-bodied recording. Recorded, mixed and mastered for a listening experience, the mix is airy allowing for all instrumentation to come through while still highlighting the shades in Zappacosta’s seductive vocal performance. You can hear every instrument and subtle melody. It is highly recommended that you enjoy this project on great headphones or quality speakers for a maximum listening experience. Zappacosta’s vocals are transmitted through a KMS 105 Neumann microphone.